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Trump’s spending bill passes Senate Bill. House expected OneTheBigbillBeautiful passed the Senate on a of 51 to 50, with Vice Presito take up measure vote dent J.D. Vance casting the vote that broke the tie. Wednesday All Democrats voted no, along
with three Republicans: Rand Paul, of Kentucky; Thom Tillis, of North Carolina; and Susan Collins, Staff writer of Maine. Both Sen. Bill Cassidy, of Baton WASHINGTON — Louisiana’s U.S. senators voted Tuesday with their Rouge, and Sen. John N. Kennedy, Republican Party colleagues to of Madisonville, approved keepnarrowly pass President Donald ing the bill, which encompasses Trump’s flagship legislation, the Trump’s domestic agenda, on track
“We keep taxes low, cut taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, extend the Child Tax Credit, fix our broken education system, support our military, secure our border, and build a business environment that creates better paying jobs — especially in Louisiana.”
BY MARK BALLARD
SEN. BILL CASSIDy, R-Baton Rouge to be enacted July 4. Cassidy said after the vote, “We keep taxes low, cut taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, extend the Child Tax Credit, fix our
broken education system, support our military, secure our border, and build a business environment that creates better paying jobs — especially in Louisiana.”
Among its dozens of facets, the bill increases spending on border security, including completing a wall along the Mexican border, on military armaments, and extends tax breaks and creates new ones for income from tips and overtime. Those expenses are partially paid for with spending reductions for health care, nutrition and green energy programs. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House for confirmation of or
ä See SENATE, page 7A
Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dies at 90
Massive global broadcast ministry plagued by scandal in mid-1980s Staff report
The Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, who built one of the nation’s biggest broadcast ministries in the 1980s from his Baton Rouge headquarters, died Tuesday. Swaggart, who went into cardiac arrest on Father’s Day, was 90 years old. Once called “the most charismatic televangelist of the 20th century,” by 1986, he was the country’s top-rated TV preacher. But two widely publicized incidents involving Swaggart and prostitutes threatened to derail the ministry. His televised confession to the first encounter — “I have sinned” — was seen across the country. At its peak, his Jimmy Swaggart Telecast was being broadcast by upward of 200 television stations and watched by two million households. His thriving church complex on Bluebonnet Boulevard consisted of more than a dozen buildings, including dormitories, television production studios and warehouses to handle the bundles of mail that came into the ministry every day.
The Rev. Jimmy Swaggart preaches at his Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge in February 1987. Four decades later, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries still operates out of Baton Rouge, offering a 24-hour TV network of current services and other programs, a nationwide radio network of 75 stations, the K-12 Family Christian Academy and
a Bible college. “Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ. Today was the day he has sung about for decades. He met his
STAFF FILE PHOTO By STEPHAN SAVOIA
beloved Savior and entered the portals of glory. At the same time, we rejoice knowing that we will see him again one day,” the church posted on Swaggart’s Facebook page. “He was not just a preacher — he was a worshipper, a warrior, and a
witness to the grace and mercy of God.” Gov. Jeff Landry on Tuesday issued a statement: “Rest in peace to Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. He devoted much of his life to
ä See SWAGGART, page 6A
Lake Charles’ first elected Black mayor sworn in Four new City Council members also join ceremony
newly elected Mayor Marshall Simien Jr., four new City Council members and three incumbents Monday at the Sudduth Coliseum, located inside the Lake Charles Event Center on Lakeshore Drive. While the swearing in is typically held BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN in the mezzanine of the event center, Staff writer city of Lake Charles Public Information The city of Lake Charles officially Officer Katie Harrington said they saw swore in its first elected Black mayor the anticipation in the community and Monday evening before a crowd of more moved it into the coliseum. The previous venue holds around 250 people. The city than 1,500 people. Lake Charles city officials swore in estimated that 1,500 to 2,000 attendees
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were at Monday’s event. “Throughout the campaign, we touched people, we talked to people, we heard everything that was said, and everyone has the same vision for our great city,” Simien said. “They want good quality of life. They want safety. They want to be able to have a good job. They want to have a place to lay their head, create their memories and raise their children that they can be proud of, and we are doing that.”
STAFF PHOTO By COURTNEy PEDERSEN
Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Piper Griffin, left, swears in Lake Charles Mayor Marshall Simien Jr. ä See MAYOR, page 6A during ceremonies on Monday.
Business ...................10C Commentary ................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................6A Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C
101ST yEAR, NO. 2